USDA Rural Development Invites Applications for Rural Business Development Grant Funding

Deadline is January 27, 2017 – Don’t wait until the deadline to submit.

Colorado’s USDA-Rural Development is currently accepting applicationsfor the Rural Business Development Grant (RBDG) for Fiscal Year 2017. The application deadline is January 27th, 2017. The Technical Assistance grant average in Colorado is around $25,000 and a revolving loan fund request is $50,000. Applications need to be postmarked on January 27th, 2017, or delivered to a Rural Development office by 4pm on that date.

Here are some past projects the RBDG has been used for in Colorado to assist our small, rural businesses:

1.Technical Assistance:

a.Funds were used to assist a rapidly expanding business with a professionally provided 5-yr business/marketing plan and succession planning.

b.A grant helped microenterprises and sole proprietors struggling with marketing their products through social media with classroom instruction from professionals from the Denver area.

c.A feasibility study for the production and facility of a value added product for a group of agriculture producers.

2.Revolving Loan Fund:

a.An award was given to establish a revolving loan fund for an economic development agency, their first one. Initial loans for the fund will be assisting new occupants in a technical products business incubator with their FFE and working capital needs.

The uses for this program are very diverse. If you have an idea how you can assist small businesses in your area this program may be of assistance to get those businesses to the next level.

The EPIIC Mashup hosts notable speakers discussing different segments of a common theme. Our next event spotlight is entrepreneurial funding.

Presenters for this event include:

Speaker: John M. BruckAn Angel’s View of Regional Startup Ecosystems

Mr. Bruck is an award-winning business leader, former corporate executive and angel investor from Cincinnati, Ohio. He is currently an active member in two funds and advisor to several startup companies. His recent move to Knoxville, Tennessee gave him the opportunity to study these two regional startup ecosystems and to better understand, analyze, compare and improve regional startup ecosystems. He will present an overview of angel investment and describe two specific models of regional startup ecosystems along with his experience in each, with the goal of reaching and sustaining the economic potential of each region.

Speakers: Mike Slattery and Karl DakinEquity Crowdfunding: The New Alternative to Angel Capital

Recently approved State of Colorado and Federal crowdfunding regulations have opened the door for entrepreneurs in Colorado Springs to gain access to new capital funding opportunities with both accredited and non-accredited investors. Learn the advantages of each and how they differ from traditional angel investments. New rules, regulations and online intermediary platforms will be summarized with an example start-up company scenario.

About Our Speakers:

John Bruck is a professional engineer and business leader, who started his career studying water pollution with Procter & Gamble in the 1970’s. He became a corporate executive with over 35 years of work experience in the environmental and energy-related fields for clients that include many Fortune 100 companies, the US Departments of Defense and Energy and the US Environmental Protection Agency. He has received several business awards, including ranking #98 in Inc. magazine’s “Inc. 500” list (1993), Engineering News Record’s “Top 200” (2002) Zweig White’s “Hot Firms” (2002, 2003) and several “Crescendo “ Awards for regional business growth achievements. Mr. Bruck has lead several mergers/acquisitions including one IPO, and has been founder and chairman in two startups that had successful exits after 20+ years of profitable operation. He is currently an investor and active member of Queen City Angels in Cincinnati where he participates in outreach, screening, due-diligence and portfolio company mentorship and management.

Mike Slattery has a true passion for entrepreneurship. He has 5 successful start-ups under his belt in several different industries over a 30-year career. As founder and former Chairman/CEO of ConcealFab Corporation, a Colorado Springs manufacturer and world leader of RF-transparent antenna concealment solutions, his innovative US patented materials allow the US Government and commercial wireless carriers with visible antenna systems and SATCOM dishes to “Hide in Plain Sight” from public detection. Others include local home improvement leader Champion Window of Colorado Springs LLC and national marketing firm Telestar Media LLC/E3 Local Marketing Solutions. Mike participated on the Colorado Crowdfunding Act rules committee and is on a mission to educate entrepreneurs on the new equity crowdfunding opportunities.

Karl Dakin is President of the Colorado Capital Congress PBC, a public benefit corporation dedicated to improving the capital ecosystem in Colorado and access to local community start-up funding. He is one of foremost authorities on the Colorado Crowdfunding Act and Limited Registration Offerings, and is in the process of launching several online intermediary platforms and educational programs to accelerate the nascent industry. Karl is a licensed Colorado attorney and small business advocate engaged in new business start-ups and product development. The State of Colorado relied on his expertise and entrepreneurial spirit to help shape the rules and regulations for the state’s intrastate Crowdfunding Act approved last summer.

This event is sponsored by the El Pomar Institute for Innovation and Commercialization (EPIIC) at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) . For more information on this event, contact EPIIC Marketing and Events Project Manager, Rhea Phaneuf.

Join us for a fun evening of networking and baseball on Thursday, June 23 as the Colorado Rockies take on the Arizona Diamondbacks!

Meet us at the ballpark at 4:30 pm to enjoy hotdogs and hamburgers while networking with more than 400 small business owners from around the state. We will be raffling off the opportunity to throw the first pitch at the game, an autographed baseball and bat from the Rockies and four lower level tickets to a future game!

Before the game starts at 6:40 pm, we'll move to the Rockpile to cheer on the Rockies and continue networking.

Tickets include food and soda before the game as well as a Rockpile ticket. A cash bar will be provided. This event sells out every year-don't wait to purchase your tickets!

TICKETS:$25 before May 31$30 after May 31- Deadline to purchase tickets is June 13!